Short answer: ahimsa (non-violence) is the core principle, but Jain practice also includes reverence and gratitude toward the Tirthankaras. The use of flowers and ritual offerings is a symbolic, reverential act, not a celebration of violence or destruction.

Here are some key points to understand:

• Ahimsa in daily life vs. ritual offerings

- Ahimsa means minimizing harm to all living beings in thoughts, words, and deeds. It doesn’t require abandoning reverence for great beings who have shown the path to liberation. - Flowers, lamps, incense, and other offerings are meant as symbols of respect, purity, and gratitude. They are not sacrifices or acts of violence when done with mindfulness and care for living beings (e.g., choosing non-harmful flowers, not uprooting plants, avoiding wasteful consumption).

• What the rituals signify

- Pooja (puja) and offerings are expressions of bhavna (inner attitude): humility, admiration for the Tirthankaras’ qualities, and a reminder to cultivate virtues in one’s own life. - The outward ritual helps many practitioners focus their mind on non-violence, truth, and self-discipline. It is not worship of a god in the theistic sense, but a disciplined practice aimed at inner purification.

• Differences among traditions

- Digambar and Shwetambar traditions have differences in how they perform rituals, what is emphasized, and what is offered. Some emphasize more meditation and inner reflection; others incorporate more formal offerings as part of temple practices. In all cases, the aim remains the same: to reduce violence in conduct and to inspire spiritual progress.

• Practical considerations about nature

- Many Jains strive to minimize harm to nature as a whole. When flowers or plants are used, practitioners often seek sustainable, non-harmful sources, or substitute with non-living offerings (like water, fruits, or symbolic items) when appropriate. The intention behind the offering—respect for the Tirthankaras and self-purification—still holds.

• Why this is not contrary to ahimsa

- The act is a ritual expression, not a celebration of harm. The underlying ethics remain: cultivate compassion, refrain from violence, and honor the path shown by the Tirthankaras. If done with awareness and care, these practices are compatible with the Jain vow of ahimsa.

If you’re exploring this further, you might look into how different Jain communities explain the symbolism of puja, and how bhavna (inner intention) plays a central role in Jain practice.